Are Chicago Cubs the Mystery Team Involved With Blake Snell?

The market for Blake Snell this offseason is truly one of the most interesting that has happened for a reigning Cy Young winner who is 31 years old.

With multiple teams, including the Chicago Cubs, who need starting pitching, he seemed like a prime candidate to be one of the first starters who would be signed in free agency.

However, the complete opposite is unfolding.

Coming off a season where he recorded a league-best ERA of 2.25 and ERA+ of 182, Snell is still available.

Maybe it's his asking price, lack of overall interest from other teams or concerns front offices have about his future projections that have depreciated his value.

Maybe it's all three.

Either way, the two-time Cy Young winner is still talented and likely will be the ace on his next team.

Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reported there are clubs expressing interest behind the scenes and his market could start to pick up.

But who are those teams and are the Cubs one of them?

That's what is hard to tell.

The New York Yankees reportedly offered him a contract that was turned down. The San Francisco Giants are likely out on him after signing Jordan Hicks. The Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers are also seemingly not interested after adding their own pitching this offseason.

Chicago has rarely been mentioned when it comes to Snell, despite multiple insiders saying they are still looking to sign one or more stars this offseason.

Jed Hoyer hasn't shown a willingness to spend top dollar and seemingly wouldn't after agreeing to terms with Shota Imanaga.

But some teams out there are still interested in Snell.

It seems unlikely the Cubs are one of them, but maybe they pull off another shocking move and add an additional left-handed starting pitcher to their rotation.